A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

God will certainly bestow that which is for the good of his people, Psal. 34.18. and 84.11. Math. 7.11. Rom. 8.28. One great point of our mortification lies in this, to have our Wills melted into God's, and 'tis a great token of spiritual growth, when not only content but joyful to see our Wills crossed that his may be done. We pray that his Kingdom may come, let it appear by sincere prayer that his Will may be done. When our Wills are sacrificed in the flames of holy prayer, we many times receive choicer things then we ask expressly. 'Twas a good saying [non dat quod volumus, ut det quod malimus] God many times grants not what we will in the present prayers that he may bestow what we had rather have, when we have the prayer more graciously answered than we petitioned, we know not how to pray as we ought; but the spirit helps us out with groans that secretly hint a correction of our wills and spirit in prayer.¹ In great anxieties and pinching troubles, nature dictates strong groans for relief; but sustaining ⟨p. 278⟩grace,² and participation of divine holiness, mortification from earthly comforts, excitation of the soul to long for heaven, being gradually weaned from the Wormwood-breasts of these sublunary transient and unsatisfying pleasures, and the timing of our hearts for the seasons, wherein God will time his deliverances; are sweeter mercies than the present return of a prayer for an outward good into our bosoms. What truly holy person would lose that light of God's countenance,³ which he enjoyed by glimpses in a cloudy day for a little corn and wine? Thou hast put more gladness into my heart, says David. Nay in many cases open denials of prayer prove the most excellent answers, and God's not hearing us is the most signal audience. Therefore at the foot of every prayer subscribe fiat voluntas tua, and thou shalt enjoy preventing mercies that thou never soughtest, and converting mercies to change all for the best, resting confident in this, that having asked according to his will he heareth thee.